The Denver Nuggets visit the Phoenix Suns meet Friday for the 3rd game of their Western Conference semifinals series. The Nuggets lead 2-0. Tip-off at Footprint Center is at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nuggets vs. Suns odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Nuggets pulled away late for a 97-87 win Monday in Game 2 after blowing out the Suns 125-107 in the series opener Saturday. C Nikola Jokic is averaging 31.5 points, 17.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game to start the series.
The Suns have struggled to score this series. The Suns got just 14 points outside of G Devin Booker, C Deandre Ayton and F Kevin Durant in Game 2. Things won’t get any easier as G Chris Paul was injured as is expected to miss at least a week.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Nuggets at Suns odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Suns -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggest +4.5 (-115) | Suns -4.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Nuggets at Suns key injuries
Nuggets
- None
Suns
- G Chris Paul (groin) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at Suns picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 109, Nuggets 106
Moneyline
The Suns must win this game to have any shot to get back in the series but Paul being sidelined will make things difficult.
The Nuggets won by 10 in Game 2 with G Jamal Murray shooting only 3-for-15.
The Suns are 30-14 at home this season (including the playoffs) and the home team has won the last 6 matchups between these teams. The Nuggets are only 20-23 on the road, including the postseason.
Expect a Suns bounce-back win, but the moneyline is too steep to play considering this should be a tight game.
PASS.
Against the spread
The Nuggets have covered the spread in 5 straight games against the Suns. They are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
The Suns are only 3-7 ATS in their last 10.
Expect a close game that goes down to the final buzzer.
BET NUGGETS +4.5 (-115).
Over/Under
Neither game in this series has reached 225 points.
Only 1 of the last 5 matchups between them has reached 225 or more.
Five of the Nuggets’ 7 postseason games have stayed below 225 total points.
BET UNDER 224.5 (-110).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Jess Root on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]